It took 21 months, but Grand Isle State Park has reopened after Hurricane Ida

Grand Isle State Park has reopened, 21 months after Hurricane Ida raked the barrier island with fierce winds and devastating sea surge.

"This is a big step in our recovery and just in time for locals and visitors to enjoy for the summer," Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle said.

The park, which reopened Thursday, has been long been popular with Gulf of Mexico vacationers interested in camping, boating, fishing and paddling. The park's beach, its recreational vehicle pads and its tent campsites are open, although the Gulf fishing pier and one of the two bathhouses remain closed for repairs.

Ida, a Category 4 storm that ranks sixth among the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, came ashore west of Grand Isle on Aug. 29, 2021, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Almost every one of the island's 2,500 structures was damaged, and 700 homes were destroyed.

The park sustained damage, but the main reason it took so long to reopen for recreation is that it was used for emergency housing for Ida victims, said Brandon Burris, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Tourism and Recreation. Some Grand Isle residents whose homes were damaged camped there, and took up residence there in Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers.

"We've had people living there since very shortly after the storm cleared," Burris said Friday.

The Gulf pier was already closed for refurbishment and extension, using an award from the BP oil disaster settlement, Burris said. Then came Ida. Now state officials are working to complete the pier work with a combination of BP, FEMA and insurance money.

The park's gates are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission costs $3 per person; it's free for those younger than 4 and older than 61.

Campsite reservations may be made at www.reservelastateparks.com. For more information, email the park at grandisle@crt.la.gov or call (225) 342-8111.